HISD is now recruiting highly-qualified teachers for the 2013-14 school year to help us fulfill our mission of providing each and every one of our students with an excellent education. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply online here by the Early Bird application date of January 14, 2013, to have the best chance of securing an early contract for the 2013-14 school year. Continue reading
Training for Campus Leaders Starts in January
Sign up now for courses from Neuhaus Education Center, HISD’s Leadership Development
Assistant principals, deans and principals who want to hone their leadership skills, differentiate instruction, keep students engaged in learning, provide useful feedback to teachers, and more, should sign up now for one or more of the professional development opportunities available to school leaders in January. Continue reading
Benbrook Elementary School Elves and More Donations
Christmas arrived early for nearly three hundred kindergarten through third grade students at Benbrook Elementary School. On Saturday, December 15, the students were awarded free bicycles and helmets from the group Elves and More for achieving their reading goals for the semester. Continue reading
Tickets on Sale for Lamar High School State 5A Championship Game
Tickets are now on sale for Lamar High School’s Texas 5A Championship game. Lamar defeated San Antonio’s O’Connor High School 15-7 to advance to the state final. The Lamar Redskins (15-0) will play the Allen Eagles (14-1) on Saturday, Dec. 22 at 8p.m. at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. Continue reading
Campus Safety Message from Superintendent Terry Grier
Dear HISD Community,
Schools are supposed to be places where our children feel safe to learn and play with their friends. On Friday, we were reminded that even our best efforts to protect our precious students are sometimes not enough to prevent tragedy. I know that all of you join me in praying for the Newtown community and sending them our sincere condolences as they grieve their unimaginable loss.
As Houston ISD students and employees return to class today, I want to assure you that we are taking action to ensure our schools are as safe as possible. We have nearly 200 fully certified police officers in the HISD Police Department, and they are vigilantly patrolling our school neighborhoods and walking our campus hallways. Every school in HISD regularly performs safety drills, and every campus leadership team has an emergency preparedness plan in place. In the days and weeks to come, our police department leaders will be reviewing our procedures to determine whether any modifications are necessary to further protect our children and employees.
HISD also employs a well-trained team of psychologists whose services are available to every campus. Our principals and teachers will not hesitate to bring them in to help any student who might need their care. It is not uncommon for children to have questions and to express fears in these times. We encourage parents to address their children’s concerns proactively. The National Association of School Psychologists offers some helpful tips for parents as they discuss this tragedy with their children. Those suggestions include reassuring children that they are safe, and acknowledging their feelings. You can find more recommendations on the group’s website by clicking here.
The final week of school before winter break is always a time of celebration and anticipation. We owe it to our children to keep it that way. We also owe them a collective commitment to doing whatever it takes to keep them safe while they are in our care. I want to personally wish each of you a joyful holiday season, and encourage you to hug your children just a little tighter and a little longer this year.
Terry B. Grier
Hundreds turn out to imagine the future of learning in HISD
Kenneth Davis, principal of Dowling Middle School, discusses ideas on new school design with two of his colleagues at the Building the Future symposium on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. Dowling MS will receive a new campus as part of the 2012 Houston Schools program approved by voters in November 2012.
Savian Nugent will likely have graduated college and be starting his career by the time Yates High School is replaced with a new $59.4 million building under the Houston Independent School District’s 2012 bond program.
But the current Yates senior sees a lot of benefits for the students who will have the opportunity to attend a modern urban high school with all the latest technology and innovations, including reducing drop-out rates and improving academic achievement.
“It will give them something to believe in,” he said. “If you give them something to hope for, they will come.”
Nugent, along with four other high school students were panelists Friday at HISD’s “Building the Future” workshop. The half-day event, held at Kingdom Builders Center, gave more than 200 school officials, parents and community members the opportunity to share their thoughts on creating innovative educational environments, as the district kicks off its bond program to repair, build or replace 40 schools across the city. Continue reading
Get Your Tickets Now to Lamar’s Semifinal Playoff Game
The Lamar High School football team will be competing in the Class 5A Division I State Semifinal matchup against San Antonio O’Connor on Saturday, Dec. 15, at Austin ISD’s Tony Burger Stadium (3200 Jones Road, 78745). The game will determine whether HISD will reach a state championship game — a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since Yates High School did in 1992.
The semifinal game kicks off at 3 p.m. Tickets are available in advance today until 4 p.m. at Lamar High School ( $5 for students and $10 for adults). All tickets purchased at the gate will be $13.
Lamar High School cruised to a 28-7 victory over North Shore last Saturday in the regional championship game, marking the first time an HISD team has advanced to the 5A semifinals since Madison High School did so in 2001, led by Vince Young at quarterback.
The Redskins are led by Coach Tom Nolen, who was named Houston Coach of the Year by the Houston Touchdown Club on Wednesday night. Earlier this season, Nolen earned his 250th career victory.
Toys for Tots Collected at HMW are on the Way to Needy Families
Click the image above to see more photos from the Toys for Tots drive.
Toys were collected from Hattie Mae White on Friday, Dec. 14, for the United States Marine Corps Reserve’s annual Toys for Tots campaign. Collection boxes were placed in the administrative building and at several schools over the last several weeks.
Marines, with the aid of local social welfare agencies and churches, will distribute the toys to children from economically challenged families on Christmas Day.
First Sgt. Mack Grimmett, who was on hand to pick up the toys, said today is the reserve’s major distribution day. The reserve is partnering with Houston Children’s Charity today to distribute toys at the George R. Brown Convention Center. He said the effort continues to be a huge help to needy families across Houston.
“The need is always going to be there because there are always families that are going to be hurting,” Grimmett said. “But the good thing about being here is that Houston is such a patriotic city that we’ve never had a problem with people not giving.”
Today marks the last day of HISD’s employee campaign, but it’s not too late to donate a toy to the effort. The donation boxes will remain in the lobby through Dec. 19. For more information or to make a donation online, visit the Toys for Tots Web site.
Benbrook Elementary School Students Awarded Bicycles for Academic Excellence
Hundreds of Benbrook Elementary school students will be awarded bicycles for achieving their reading goals for the semester. The kindergarten through third-grade students will also receive free helmets. The generous donation is made possible by Elves and More which annually donates bicycles to students. The City of Houston Bicyclist-Pedestrian department also donated two bicycle racks for Benbrook Elementary.
HISD to Increase Reading Intervention with Additional 4,110 Laptops at 115 Schools
Board of Education approved $5.7 million initiative
The Houston Independent School District Board of Education approved the $5.7 million proposal to add 4,110 laptops at 115 schools in an effort to aid in reading instruction.